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Fabric expansion joints consist of two major components, the fabric belt material and the metal frame. The frame can connect to the ducting by welding or bolting. Each U.S. Bellows frame style has features designed to minimize the detrimental effects of temperature, movements, pressure, media, and turbulence. The U.S. Bellows team is experienced in evaluating application conditions and implementing designs that lead to long term expansion joint service.

Design alterations can include the following:

Adequate stand off height

Adequate face to face dimension

Inclusion of liner

Frame material

Belt material

Inclusion of accumulation barrier

Inclusion of insulation pillow

Proper bolt hole spacing

And more

Although U.S. Bellows can provide weld-in and bolt-in frame styles, wherever possible, it is strongly recommended that the expansion joint be welded in place.

Bolt in design frame styles allow the expansion joint to bolt directly to duct flanges or equipment flanges supplied by others. These bolt in designs are generally more expensive to manufacture and are potentially more difficult to install due to hole pattern irregularities and inaccuracies. These frame styles are basic designs that can be enhanced with the optional components.

Fabric Expansion Joints and Factors Influencing their Design

Fabric expansion joints perform a function of compensating for duct misalignment and duct thermal growth typical in power plants and other ducting systems. Proper design of these joints starts with asking the right questions about the application, providing the correct answers, and applying design rules to arrive at the appropriate solution.

The guiding principle for fabric joint design is to protect the fabric belt element so that it can absorb movement while retaining the media. The longevity of the belt life can be diminished by many factors. These factors include excessive temperature, harsh corrosives, exposure to abrasive particulate, excessive movements, fly ash weight against the belt, and high internal pressures. All of these problems can be solved if they are anticipated. The quality of the expansion joint design is only as good as the information provided up front. A realistic and accurate analysis of the system is step one. Assuming that is taken care of, these guidelines are a brief introduction to factors that influences the success of the expansion joint.

Temperature

Fabric gas seal membranes have specific temperature capabilities. When necessary, the addition of insulating materials between the temperature source and the belt will extend the service life. The magnitude of the temperature will determine the thickness of the integral belt insulation and if a separate high density insulation pillow is required.

The belt attachment flanges should be outboard of the cavity and have sufficient standoff from the duct. Care should be taken to avoid external insulation or lagging outside of the belt which prevents proper heat dissipation.

Chemical Attack

Applications that do not have high temperatures sometimes have a different problem. Relatively low temperatures in flue gas ducting can lead to corrosive condensation. In these situations, a chemical barrier is required to protect the load bearing fiberglass carcass of the belt. External insulation over the joint in these locations can reduce condensation and heat loss.

Movements

Generally, movements occur along the axis of the duct (usually compression but occasionally extension) or at right angles (lateral). The key to being able to handle these movements is having the proper width of belt installed in a sufficient span. For compression, a ratio of installed belt span to movement roughly at 4:1 is suggested. The lateral capability is influenced by the amount of belt slack available. Concurrent axial compression will provide the slack thus allowing more lateral. In certain situations, there is lateral offset in the cold installed condition. This may require “pre-compression” of the joint which is in essence just providing extra belt width.

Abrasion

In flue gas ducting with particulate, a liner should be used to protect the belt from direct exposure. If the pressure is negative, the belt stand-off from the gas stream should be increased to keep the belt from being pulled into the gas stream or against the liner. Belt clamping bar edges next to the fabric should be radiused. The belt attachment flange should also be smooth and free of rough surfaces.

Pressure Fluctuations

Fabric expansion joints exposed to sudden pressure fluctuations, such as near ID fans and dampers, may result in the belt “fluttering”. The fabric will fatigue over time resulting in tears. Using stiffer fabric material, installing a liner and increasing the standoff are steps to take to avoid flutter.

Summation

Each location throughout a ducting system can have different conditions that affect the design of expansion joints. As a result, there isn’t one design that can fit all applications. The goal of the expansion joint supplier is to work with engineers and end users to provide the optimum economical solutions.

Access our full expansion joint catalog online, anytime. You can also download a PDF version from our site to use offline. If you would like your own copy, please fill out the Catalog Request Form. Our expanded catalog includes:

View the basics about fabric expansion joints, including how they work and some design integrations. Also learn about the factors that influence their design like: temperature, chemical attack, movements, abrasion, pressure fluctuations and summation. Read about fabric expansion joint applications, frame styles, materials, inspection and installation.

We’ve added equivalency charts to our website so that you can easily find an ideal U.S. Bellows replacement for a similar expansion joint in your piping system. So far, the following charts are now live: